This snapshot survey was conducted in March 2025 to better understand hospitality operators’ experiences with safety and security issues in their businesses. The survey was a follow up to a survey conducted in May 2024.
Overview:
- A significant number of hospitality businesses have experienced safety or security incidents, ranging from antisocial behaviour to theft and property damage.
- Verbal abuse towards staff was one of the most commonly reported issues.
- Many businesses reported increased concerns around customer intoxication, particularly in late-night or licensed venues.
- Security concerns are more pronounced in urban areas, with city-based operators reporting higher instances of crime and antisocial behaviour.
- Businesses are taking a range of measures to improve safety, including installing CCTV, hiring security personnel, and changing operating hours.
- Several respondents noted a lack of police presence or slow response times, contributing to a feeling of vulnerability.
- Staff training in de-escalation and safety procedures was highlighted as a growing need across the industry.
MEMBER FEEDBACK:
“We have had 2 break ins (but not within the last 6months). We have had to as a result increase our cameras and surveillance (at a cost!). We have notified police twice in the last 6 months of activity at the location but not necessarily directly threatening the business. On both occasions police have been in the area and respond quickly.”
“As an owner staff safety is a huge concern particularly in the early hours. We appear to have a harmonious relationship with our homeless ‘care taker’ that lives nearby to the business and police have assisted quickly when necessary, however caution and concern is still a business issue. We need more proactive policing and action against youth crime.”
“Our team are well trained about this situation however, whenever we have called the police, they never showed up and even when we told them that the person committing the crime was still there. They just ask lots of questions and nobody comes to check.”
Download the Safety and Security survey – May 2025
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